Device for storing elongated utensils

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/623,899, filed Jan. 23, 2024 12:15:38 PM ET.

[0002] This invention relates generally to storage containers for elongated objects, and more specifically, to a storage device for organizing, protecting, and providing easy access to elongated utensils, such as pairs of chopsticks.

[0003] Elongated objects, particularly utensils like chopsticks, present unique storage challenges. Chopsticks, which typically come in pairs, vary significantly in size, shape, material, color, and design, and are often chosen to match an individual's hand size and personal aesthetic preferences. In many households, each family member may possess multiple distinct pairs of chopsticks, necessitating an organized storage solution that allows for easy identification and selection of a specific pair.

[0004] Existing containers for storing elongated objects include rectangular boxes, which are suboptimal as they often result in chopsticks being piled haphazardly, making it difficult to find matching pairs efficiently. Organizing trays with multiple partitions are commonly used within kitchen drawers to segregate utensils, but present the same difficulty. A variation on these trays integrates angled shelves designed to save space by layering the inserted utensils, but these are not conducive to accommodating longer utensils like chopsticks, which tend to protrude above the height limitations of standard drawers, thereby impeding their closure. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. D972893S and D932847S.)

[0005] Vertical storage solutions like cups can facilitate the identification of individual chopsticks and can also be divided with internal partitions, but are incompatible with the vertical space constraints of typical kitchen drawers. Additionally, the storage of chopsticks in a loose manner can lead to damage, especially for those that are ornately decorated or possess significant monetary or sentimental value, as repeated contact with other utensils can mar their finish and reduce their longevity.

[0006] The prior art includes containers designed for elongated objects, such as drill bits, which feature lids that connect to a tray or holder, lifting the holder as the lid pivots open. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,775,342, 3,074,539, 3,086,645, and 4,006,821.) However, these solutions are not tailored to the unique dimensions and storage needs of chopsticks. Moreover, lids within drawers are impractical as they can obstruct access and are cumbersome to maneuver, particularly for lengthy objects.

[0007] This invention presents a novel device and method for storing elongated utensils, such as chopsticks, that improves the utensils' visibility, protection and accessibility, particularly when stored in confined spaces, such as a kitchen drawer. It is a dual-component system consisting of a operable utensil holder with an integrated handle, pivotally connected to a stationary case.

[0008] In the primary embodiment, the outer case is a five-walled enclosure with two longer sides, two shorter ends, and a flat base, forming a protective exterior. Within this case resides the utensil holder, featuring an open-ended grid of compartments arranged in tiered rows. One end of each utensil, or set of utensils, is contained and supported by partially inserting them into one of the compartments, leaving the unsupported ends exposed. This tiered design ensures each utensil is offset from the one above, facilitating effortless identification in both the holder's open and closed positions while also aiding extraction.

[0009] Operation is intuitive: the user lifts the handle, pivoting the holder to an open raised position wherein the exposed ends of the utensils protrude above the case, making them accessible. The holder is temporarily secured at a certain raised angle, freeing both hands for inserting or extracting the utensils. The primary embodiment employs a magnetic retention system involving pairs of aligned magnets embedded within the interior walls of the case and the corresponding sides of the holder. To close, a simple push on the handle counteracts the magnetic attraction, enabling the holder to pivot back to the closed horizontal state within the case.

[0010] The design is versatile, functioning horizontally inside drawers or resting upon flat surfaces, such as a countertop. It can also be operated vertically and can be mounted onto a wall.

[0011] In a second embodiment, a continuous hinge marries the end walls of the case and the holder. The hinge allows the holder to rotate in relation to the case, functioning in a manner akin to the primary embodiment.

[0012] In a third embodiment, the case is streamlined, consisting of only two longitudinal side walls and a flat base. Two sets of binding screws marry the case and the holder by penetrating holes in both components. The binding screws allow the holder to rotate in relation to the case, functioning in a manner akin to the primary embodiment. This embodiment employs a unique retention system comprising a vertical rubber strip position beneath the holder. The strip supports a transversal rod in the bottom of the holder, holding it secure in the open position.

[0013] A fourth embodiment incorporates a spring-loaded latch mechanism in the holder. When the user exerts downward force to the holder it disengages the latch and the holder rotates upward into the open position, where it will remain stationary under the spring's tension. To close, another downward push of the holder's top causes the holder to pivot back into the original closed position and latch in place.

[0040] Referring to the drawings FIGS. 1 through 16, the preferred embodiment features a case 20 with parallel vertical side walls running longitudinally 21, parallel vertical end walls 22 running transversally, and a flat horizontal base 23 forming the floor. The case 20 is designed without a top cover or lid, ensuring clear visibility and easy access to the utensils 24 within the utensil holder 25.

[0041] The exterior of the utensil holder features a flat horizontal top 26, two straight vertical side walls 27, and a flat horizontal base 28. Internally, the holder is organized into individual compartments by a series of equally spaced, flat horizontal trays 29, straight vertical partitions that run longitudinally 30, and straight vertical end walls that run transversally 31. Notably, as illustrated in FIG. 9, these end walls 31 are designed to restrict the insertion depth of each utensil in its compartment, allowing the remaining portion to extend freely, thereby enabling easy grasping by the user. Additionally, transversal open edges of the utensil holder's base 28, trays 29, and top 26 each retreat incrementally in a step-like fashion from the layer beneath. The vertical side walls 27 and the vertical partitions 30 are angled to mirror the ascending rise and run of the trays. This arrangement ensures that each layer of stored utensils is both offset and visible when viewed from above, facilitating quick identification and retrieval of the utensils.

[0042] A cylindrical rod 32, functioning as a pivot, is aligned along a transverse axis and passes through bushings 33, which in turn are fitted into aligned holes 34 in the utensil holder's vertical side walls 27. Each end of the rod 32 is seated within stopped holes 35 located in the corresponding interior side walls 21 of the case 20. A lever arm 36 integrated with the utensil holder extends to the opposite end wall of the case, leaving enough clearance to permit it to rotate unobstructed. The user can easily lift the holder with a single finger hooked under a curved cutout 37 at the end of the lever arm 36. The flanges 38 of the bushings 33 are sized to create a small gap between the case's interior side walls 21 and the utensil holder's exterior side walls 27, ensuring smooth and unobstructed pivoting action of the holder.

[0043] Two identical magnets 39 are partially embedded into corresponding stopped holes 40 in the two longitudinal interior walls of the case. They are positioned at such a depth that their top surfaces protrude slightly from the walls. This protrusion is half the gap between the interior walls of the case and the exterior walls of the utensil holder. Similarly, two other identical magnets 41 are embedded into stopped holes 42 on the utensil holder's exterior longitudinal walls. These magnets are oriented in reverse polarity with the first set and are also set to protrude by the same distance. This design ensures that when the utensil holder is lifted and pivoted towards the open state, as depicted in FIG. 10, the magnets on the holder come into direct contact with the corresponding magnets on the case 42. The magnetic force securely holds the utensil holder in the open position, allowing the user to freely use both hands for inserting or removing utensils without the need to support the holder.

[0044] After a user has placed or retrieved utensils, they can then press down on the handle 36, which causes the utensil holder to pivot downward. This action separates the magnets 39, 41, allowing the holder to return to its closed position within the case 20. Stoppers 43, attached to the interior base of the case, halt the holder's descent, supporting it in a horizontal position at rest and maintaining a gap between the utensil holder and the case's floor to facilitate unobstructed pivoting.

[0045] The invention may incorporate two holes 26 on the bottom of the case 20, aligned beneath the utensil holder's base 28 when it is in the closed position. These holes are intended to accommodate the heads of screws, which are horizontally mounted into a vertical surface. This arrangement enables the case to be secured against the vertical surface, such as a wall, in an upright orientation, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, positioning the handle 36 at the top and the utensil holder 25 at the bottom, thereby optimizing space and access.

[0046] A second embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 through 19 incorporates a continuous hinge 44 affixed to the interior of one of the end walls of the case and an end wall in the rear of the holder 45. The hinge 44 allows the holder to rotate in relation to the case, functioning in a manner akin to the primary embodiment.

[0047] A third embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 through 22 features a case 20 with two parallel vertical side walls running longitudinally 21 and a horizontal base 23 forming the floor. Two sets of binding screws, which each consist of a threaded screw 46 received by a internally threaded sleeve with a smooth exterior 47, connect through aligned holes in the case's vertical side walls 48 and holes in the utensil holder's vertical side walls 49.

[0048] A flexible strip of rubber or a similar material 50 is securely mounted so that it stands vertically in a U-shaped channel 51 affixed transversally to the floor of the case. A transversal rod 52 spans between holes 53 in the utensil holder's side walls. A thin central handle 54 made of metal or a similar rigid material projects from the top of the central partition in the utensil holder keeping access to the utensils in the center compartments unobstructed.

[0049] The flexible strip and rod are relatively positioned so that as the user applies upward force to the utensil holder's handle 54, the rod contacts the strip and bends it downward until the rod can pass over the top. After the rod clears it, the rubber strip regains its straightness. The upright flexible strip is rigid enough to support the rod under the weight of the utensil holder and its contents in the open position, so the user can freely use both hands for inserting or removing utensils without the need to support the holder. To close the utensil holder, the user applies enough downward force to the handle to push the rod back over the flexible strip again. A stopper 55, attached to the bottom of the utensil holder, halts its descent, supporting it in a horizontal position at rest and maintaining a gap between the utensil holder and the case's floor to facilitate unobstructed pivoting.

[0050] A fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 through 25 incorporates a spring-loaded latch mechanism 56 in the rear of the utensil holder in lieu of a handle. When the user exerts downward force to the top of the utensil holder it disengages the latch mechanism and the internal spring extends its piston. The end of the piston contacts a protective pad 57 mounted onto the inside of one of the case's end walls as it pushes outward, rotating the utensil holder up into the open position. The spring's tension will hold the utensil holder in the open position, so the user can freely use both hands for inserting or removing utensils without the need to support the holder. To close, another downward push of the holder's top rotates it downward until the mechanism latches in the closed state.